G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 vs G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 or the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004?

For trailering, the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 has the edge at 17 lbs dry weight versus 162 lbs for the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 measures 97" wide, compared to 61" for the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 or the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004?

The G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 and G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 and the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 are built by G3 Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 vs G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004

G3 Boats

G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008

2008

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G3 Boats

G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 vs G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 vs G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 has a 75-hp advantage over the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004's 15-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeG3 Boats

Model208 Fish & Cruise

ModelUtility V 12

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam97 in

Beam61 in

Beam - Meters2.46

Beam - Meters1.55

Beam - Inches97

Beam - Inches61

Weight - Detail1,620 lbs

Weight - Detail170 lbs

Weight - kg734.82

Weight - kg77.11

Weight - lbs.162

Weight - lbs.17

Length - Feet2

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail12 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Meters3.81

Length overall - Inches24

Length overall - Inches15

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detailn/a

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detailn/a

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]16 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter23 in. x 25 in

Tube diameternot available

Tube gauge0.080 Nosecone Gauge: 0.1

Tube gaugenot available

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail6 gal. portable

Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56

Fuel tank capacity - Liters22.71

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max90 hp

Engine max15 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs

Maximum capacity600 lbs

Maximum people11 / 1,498 lbs

Maximum people3 person

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityn/a

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all27 ft. 4 in

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight2,770 lbs

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width102 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailCustom powder coated 3" tubular steel trailer with tongue jack, wind guides, step pads and 12" tires

G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 vs G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 or the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004?

For trailering, the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 has the edge at 17 lbs dry weight versus 162 lbs for the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 measures 97" wide, compared to 61" for the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 or the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004?

The G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 and G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 and the G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 are built by G3 Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← G3 Boats 208 Fish & Cruise 2008 full specs ← G3 Boats Utility V 12 2004 full specs